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Love of the common people

Now that I have thrown my well-paying job out of the window, I am discovering a lot of delights that I hadn't. For one, commuting in the second class compartment of a train. People here are so much more interesting, unassuming and real. Ya, they do have their quirks of quarreling for no rhyme or reason and striking a conversation about the most arbitrary things in the world, like a particular hairband a vendor is selling. But, it's actually a lotta fun to indulge in such conversations! Or at least better than interacting with the snooty women in a 1st class compartment who think they are Cleopatra reincarnate!

I have witnessed a woman asking a poor kid to get off a moving train because he got into a first class compartment. I have seen women yelling at someone hanging out of the train, for he/she risks meeting with an accident. But, no, not coz the women are concerned but because they don't want the train to stop if someone falls! I have seen women condescendingly ask other not-so-well-turned out women if they have a first class pass. Oh, yes, sunshine, the TC is on leave and you are a proxy!

First class (compartment) women are not tolerant about anyone entering even if the compartment is empty. But, they'd rather not argue with a eunuch and only give them glares and seethe with rage. In a second class compartment, a lady actually took the eunuch's number and wanted to call her to give her blessings at a religious function. The eunuch left, but not before touching the lady's head. When she passed by me, she saw me and smiled. I, of course, smiled back. And she touched my head too. And I thought they do that only when you give them money.

Ever seen a woman sleeping in a second class compartment and being woken up rather mercilessly by others who want to sit? But, if there is a vendor's 2-yr old baby sleeping, women, even the older ones, wouldn't mind standing. Or if there is a very old woman, catching 40 winks, she isn't to be disturbed. I have also seen an old woman selling something and a buyer actually convincing other women to buy stuff coz the vendor was old and needy.

Toybank, an initiative under The Opentree Foundation, is an organization in India that promotes the Right to Play for all children, because a happy childhood defines almost every aspect of a child’s life and in turn the society. Founded in August 2004, our motto is to provide every economically-disadvantaged child an equal opportunity to education, achieved through healthy play and games.
As of January 2018, Toybank has set up 276 Play Centers and impacts the lives of 43,009 at-risk children every day.